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Sen. Brady votes against utility
rate settlement
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[July 27, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Bill Brady,
R-Bloomington, says a $1 billion utility rate settlement is not
enough for Illinois consumers hard-hit by skyrocketing utility
rates.
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As part of Senate Bill 1592,
Ameren and ComEd have offered $1 billion in credits over three years
for utility customers who have been waiting since January for relief
from significantly higher power costs. "I stand in opposition to
this legislation because this is not real rate relief," Brady said.
"This plan provides $1 billion over three years, when we are
allowing the power generating companies more than $6 billion in
windfall profits. It is not enough. A vote for this bill is
quitting."
The 44th District senator says he also opposes the creation of
another government agency to oversee utility rates.
"We certainly do not need the attorney general and a new Illinois
power agency to determine utility rate issues -- that's the
responsibility of the Illinois Commerce Commission. We have no need
for yet another level of government bureaucracy," Brady said.
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 The Bloomington Republican says he thinks Illinois consumers
would be better served by temporarily freezing electric rates at
2006 levels and then implementing gradual rate increases.
"We need to do everything we can to ensure that Illinois has a
reliable source of energy, but it must be brought to the consumer in
an affordable way," Brady said. "Right now, we need to freeze rates,
then take a closer look at more reasonable rate increases, phased in
over several years."
Approved July 26 by the Senate and the House of Representatives,
Senate Bill 1592 now moves to the governor's desk and will
become law with his signature.
[Text from news release sent on
behalf of
Sen.
Bill Brady by Illinois
Senate Republican staff]
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